Danny lies in his bed, practically lifeless- too numb to even cry. Stephanie hasn't spoken a word in 2 days. Donna Jo is doing everything in her power to stay strong. ' At 11:38pm Pamela "Pam" Tanner's taxi was struck by a drunk driver. She was killed on impact. She is survived by her spouse, Daniel "Danny" Tanner, her 2 daughters Stephanie Tanner and Donna Jo "Dj" Tanner. Pamela was 9 months pregnant at the time of the accident.'
"Danny…" a voice beckons from the hall. "Dan, can I come in?"
Through Danny's trembling lips a word escapes "yea"
"Danny," Jessie, Pam's younger brother, sighed as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"I remember when I beat you up." He marveled. "I didn't like you Danny. I hated everyone who even got near my sister. Then you wanted to marry her?" Jessie sees his humor isn't getting across "But… she really loved you. After a while I realized that you were the greatest thing to ever happen to her. You are one of my best friends because of that. You made Pam's life better, and you made my life better. I don't know what I would do without you"
"Thanks Jess." Danny sits up. "It's just… it's not even like when my granddad died where I was in denial until the burial. I know it happened. I am fully aware. I understand. And that is the hardest part. I have no doubts."
"I do" Jessie puts his hand on Danny's shoulder. "But that's because there are living memories of Pam. Dj and Stephanie. They are a part of Pam we still have. 2 beautiful girls that we love so dearly. And they need their father."
Danny rises and shifts his weight onto the dresser "I can't do this alone"
"You won't have to."
"But Pa-"
"I'll be here."
"What?"
"Yeah, I mean if it's okay with you. I know Joey's already here, but I can move in and help you with the girls."
"I'll think on it. Sorry it's just… a lot to take in"
Jessie hugs Danny suddenly. It breaks him. For the first time Danny cries.
4 year old Stephanie sits on the couch holding her mother's pillow. She has not eaten all day, she's barely slept. Joey, Danny's lifelong friend, sits next to her unsure of what to do or say. Danny climbs down the stairs, Jessie following close behind. "Steph?" No response. "Steph?" No response.
"Stephanie?"
"Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"Mommy's never coming back, is she?"
"…No"
"Then who will braid my hair?"
"I will" Dj comes from the kitchen holding her pillow pal.
"I will braid your hair every day if you want"
Danny, filled with pride, hugs her. "Thank you Dj."
Stephanie looks to them. "But then who will be my Mommy?"
There is a silence. No one is sure how to answer.
"We will" Jessie says, admiring Danny and Joey.
"Yeah. We will" Joey rejoiced. Danny smiles for the first time.
Stephanie stands and hugs Jessie
"You smell like Mommy"
Jessie picks her up and pushes her hair from her face
"You look just like Mommy"
After tucking the girls in, Jessie leaves to start packing. Danny leads down the stairs to lock the door. In the darkness he bumps into a playpen. He clutches the gate and inhales sharply. After the click of the lock, he returns upstairs in hope of sleeping the pain away. On the way to his bedroom he passes it: The nursery. Danny turns on the light to see in huge plush letters "Welcome home, Michelle!" He looks in the crib to see a teddy bear and a freshly made bed. "Hi Michelle." He strokes the covers. "It's daddy. I love you more than anything. I promise to not let anything hurt you. I will hold you every day. I will tuck you in and sing to you every single night. I love you." He hums softly as he pulls up the covers and turns on the mobile to help his daughter sleep.
